Senator Brown wants LACE summoned

Maryland County Senator J. Gbleh-bo Brown, has requested the Plenary of the Liberian Senate to invite the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment or LACE, to provide a status report on infrastructure projects being implemented across.

In a communication to plenary on Tuesday, Senator Brown said under the Grant Agreement signed between the Government of Liberia and the African Development Bank or AfDB, the Government through the Ministry of Public Works entrusted implementation of the social infrastructure component to LACE.

He further explained that under the component, LACE was expected to construct and reconstruct five schools and five clinics in Maryland County, adding that one of the schools earmarked for reconstruction is the Cape Palmas High in Harper.

Brown said LACE commenced reconstruction work on the Cape Palmas High School and a number of schools and clinics in Pleebo, Karluway and Barrobo Statutory Districts, respectively some five years ago, but up to present, those projects are yet to be completed.
He continued that on May 22, 2015 while school was in session amidst heavy downpour, the Cape Palmas High School building began to leak profusely and some of the particles of the building started to fall off, forcing students and teachers to abandon classes and run for safety.

The Senator narrated that the following day, students of the school in an attempt to draw government’s attention to their plight, disrupted normal academic activities at other schools.

Brown’s communication to the Plenary also called for the temporary relocation of the Cape Palmas High School, pending completion of the reconstruction project.

He wants the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Health to jointly invite LACE to explain why those projects have not been completed and to provide a clear and reasonable timeline as to when they will be completed.

“My distinguished colleagues, given the urgency of the situation, I kindly request your indulgence to mandate the Senate Committees on Education and Health to jointly invite LACE to show cause why those projects have not been completed and to provide a clear and reasonable timeline as to when they will be completed,” he recommended.

The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Armah Jallah, has mandated the Senate Chief Clark to write both the Committees on Education and Health to review and report to the Plenary in two weeks. By Ben P. Wesee – Edited by Jonathan Browne